Integration of paper-based microfluidic devices with commercial electrochemical readers

The combination of simple Electrochemical Micro-Paper-based Analytical Devices (E$\mu$PADs) with commercially available glucometers allows rapid, quantitative electrochemical analysis of a number of compounds relevant to human health (e.g., glucose, cholesterol, lactate, and alcohol) in blood or urine.Chemistry and Chemical Biolog

Associations between body mass index and all-cause mortality among individuals with psoriasis: results from the NHANES database retrospective cohort study

BackgroundPrevious findings imply a potential positive association between BMI and all-cause mortality in individuals with psoriasis, yet direct evidence remains absent. This study aimed to fill this gap.MethodsWe utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the periods 2003–2006 and 2009–2014. Participants’ BMI was categorized as lean (<25), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30), and obese (BMI ≥ 30). Psoriasis status was determined through self-reporting. The main outcome measured was all-cause mortality up to December 2019. We accounted for multiple covariates, such as sociodemographic factors and histories of smoking and alcohol consumption. Our statistical analyses mainly included Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, Restricted Cubic Spline (RCS) and Multivariate Cox Regression (MCR). We also applied propensity score matching (PSM) to verify the robustness of our findings.ResultsAmong 22,876 participants, 618 (2.70%) reported a history of psoriasis. An overall effect from the MCR analysis showed that, among individuals with psoriasis, a higher baseline BMI was independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, noting a 5.5% rise in mortality risk per BMI unit [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.055, 95% CI: 1.004–1.110, p = 0.035]. This significant relationship persisted after PSM. A statistically significant positive correlation was consistent among males, smokers, and individuals younger than 60. However, no such association was found in individuals without a history of psoriasis. Additionally, no significant difference in mortality risk was found between lean and overweight groups with psoriasis, according to the RCS regression and stratified analysis.ConclusionOur findings indicated a trend that, higher BMIs significantly correlated with increased risks of all-cause mortality in people with psoriasis, particularly among obese ones. However, the impact of being overweight on this relationship remains underexplored. Moreover, the necessity to employ alternative metrics beyond BMI for body fat assessment to further investigate these associations is critical

Effects of Density and Moisture Variation on Dynamic Deformation Properties of Compacted Lateritic Soil

A series of repeated load triaxial tests were conducted in this study to investigate the influences of compaction density and postcompaction moisture variation on the dynamic elastic modulus (Ed) and plastic permanent strain (PPS) of compacted lateritic soil. Specimens were compacted at optimum moisture content (OMC) and three degrees of compaction (90%, 93%, and 96%). Then the specimens were dried or wetted to different moisture contents (OMC, OMC±3%, OMC±6%, and OMC+9%) prior to testing for Ed and PPS. Results show that moisture content has greater influence on the Ed and PSS than compaction degree, and the increase in moisture content leads to a decrease of Ed and an increase of PPS. Furthermore, an empirical relationship between Ed and applied cyclic stress (σd) is developed that incorporates density and moisture variations. Three different evolution types of PPS with number of load cycles, plastic stable, plastic creep, and incremental collapse, are identified as the increase of moisture content. In addition, the critical dynamic stress (σdc) separating stable and unstable deformation is determined based on the shakedown concept. The envelope curves of σdc-moisture of lateritic soil with different degrees of compaction are also determined to provide reference for the pavement design

Separation of Nanoparticles in Aqueous Multiphase Systems through Centrifugation

This paper demonstrates the use of aqueous multiphase systems (MuPSs) as media for rate-zonal centrifugation to separate nanoparticles of different shapes and sizes. The properties of MuPSs do not change with time or during centrifugation; this stability facilitates sample collection after separation. A three-phase system demonstrates the separation of the reaction products (nanorods, nanospheres, and large particles) of a synthesis of gold nanorods, and enriches the nanorods from 48 to 99% in less than ten minutes using a benchtop centrifuge.Chemistry and Chemical BiologyEngineering and Applied Science

Electrochemical Sensing in Paper-Based Microfluidic Devices

This paper describes the fabrication and the performance of microfluidic paper-based electrochemical sensing devices (we call the microfluidic paper-based electrochemical devices, μPEDs). The μPEDs comprise paper-based microfluidic channels patterned by photolithography or wax printing, and electrodes screen-printed from conducting inks (e.g., carbon or Ag/AgCl). We demonstrated that the μPEDs are capable of quantifying the concentrations of various analytes (e.g., heavy-metal ions and glucose) in aqueous solutions. This low-cost analytical device should be useful for applications in public health, environmental monitoring, and the developing world

Electrochemical Sensing in Paper-Based Microfluidic Devices

This paper describes the fabrication and the performance of microfluidic paper-based electrochemical sensing devices (we call the microfluidic paper-based electrochemical devices, µPEDs). The µPEDs comprise paper-based microfluidic channels patterned by photolithography or wax printing, and electrodes screen-printed from conducting inks (e.g., carbon or Ag/AgCl). We demonstrated that the µPEDs are capable of quantifying the concentrations of various analytes (e.g., heavy-metal ions and glucose) in aqueous solutions. This low-cost analytical device should be useful for applications in public health, environmental monitoring, and the developing world.Chemistry and Chemical Biolog

Theoretical and technological system for Highly efficient development of deep coalbed methane in the Eastern edge of Erdos Basin

Aiming at the development problems of deep coal reservoirs, such as deep burial, low permeability and complex stress field, this paper clarifies that the resource enrichment conditions, effective fracturing volume, effective horizontal section length, and good reservoir conditions are the key factors for high productivity on the basis of summarizing the exploration and development practice of the Daning-Jixian Block in the past five years. Under the guidance of the theory of “artificial gas reservoir” development, a technical system for the efficient development of deep coalbed methane was preliminarily established as follows. ① According to the reservoir resource conditions, structural preservation conditions and engineering fracturing conditions, a total of 11 indicators in three categories established the geological-engineering “dessert” evaluation standards of deep coalbed methane. ② Based on the techniques such as microstructural characterization, multi-scale fracture prediction, and 3D geological model construction, the quantitative and visual characterization of all elements of “geology + engineering” of deep coal seam was achieved. ③ Based on the guiding idea of “geological small scale, three-dimensional seismic microscale, drill along the target, less adjustment and fast drilling”, a three-stage geological-engineering geo-steering technology with an excellent design of pre-drilling trajectory, precise target entry and post-target fine-tuning as the core was developed.④ The optimization design of the five-in-one well network based on “in-situ stress field, natural fracture field, artificial fracture field, well type and orientation, well network and well spacing” realized the maximization of resource utilization and the maximization of gas field recovery. ⑤ According to the occurrence characteristics, seepage mechanism and production characteristics of deep coalbed methane, a reasonable production capacity evaluation and EUR prediction technology based on the rate-transient analysis method, the empirical production decline method, the numerical simulation method, and the empirical analogy method was formed. ⑥ Following to the design principle of “four-in-one” precision fracturing section and “fracture staggering + differentiation between fracturing segments”, a large-scale volumetric fracturing technology aimed at constructing artificial gas reservoirs was proposed.⑦ According to the characteristics of gas-water variation in gas wells, the optimal control technology of drainage and production in different production stages through the whole life cycle of wells was put forwarded. ⑧ Combined with the current progress of AI technology, and the characteristics of deep coalbed methane development law, gathering and transportation, the technology of gathering, transportation and digital intelligence integrating geological, engineering, and ground aspects was explored. Under the guidance of this achievement, 29 horizontal wells that have been put into production，with an initial production of 5×104−16×104 m3/d, an average of 10.2×104 m3/d, and the daily gas production of the block has exceeded 3 million cubic meters, which has important guiding significance for accelerating the large-scale production of deep coalbed methane in the eastern margin of the Ordos basin. Also the study establishes a reference and standard for the efficient development of similar resources

Efficacy and safety of Lianhua Qingwen granule in the treatment of non-influenza viral pneumonia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical study

ObjectiveTo observe the effectiveness and safety of Lianhua Qingwen granule in the treatment of non-influenza viral pneumonia.MethodsThis study was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were clinically diagnosed with viral pneumonia (negative for influenza virus) were randomly divided into the Lianhua Qingwen granule trial group and placebo control group. Patients in the trial group was given Lianhua Qingwen granule, 2 bags at a time, 3 times a day, and the controls were given placebo, with a treatment course of 7 days. Patients’ clinical symptoms and signs, and treatment-associated adverse events were observed. Subjects should be included in the full analysis set (FAS) as long as they were all given the medication and had an effectiveness test performed after randomization. Subjects should be included in the Per Protocol Set (PPS),a subset of the total analysis set, which should contain those with strong compliance, no protocol violations, and complete baseline values for the primary indicators.ResultsA total of 169 subjects were enrolled in 12 subcenters, including 151 (76 in the trial group and 75 in the control group) in the FAS and 140 (68 in the trial group and 72 in the control group) in the PPS. After 7 days of treatment, the clinical symptom relief rates were 82.98% (FAS) and 87.12% (PPS) in the trial group, and 75.11% (FAS) and 76.02% (PPS) in the control group, respectively. The clinical symptom relief rates in the trial group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.001). Significant improvements in single symptoms of cough and expectoration in the trial group were observed compared with the control group (p < 0.05). There were no statistical differences in fever, sputum color change, chest pain, muscle pain, dyspnea, chills, and thirst between the two groups (p > 0.05).SafetyThere were no significant differences in body weight, vital signs, blood routine, urine routine, stool routine, and blood biochemical indicators (CK, AST, ALT, Cr, and Bun) between the two groups before and after treatment (p > 0.05). During treatment, there were no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events between the two groups (p > 0.05).ConclusionLianhua Qingwen granules improved the clinical symptoms of patients with non-influenza virus pneumonia, especially ameliorating cough and expectoration. Lianhua Qingwen granules were associated with good safety